Marmion crowned champs at Dvorak

Marmion won the 23rd annual Dvorak Wrestling Tournament, but Montini's Stephen Robertson stole the show.

Robertson edged Crystal Lake Central's Joey Kielbasa 3-2 in the 152-pound finals Thursday at Harlem.

Robertson picked Kielbasa's ankle for the decisive takedown in the second period.

"We were just battling in a flurry and I tried a single leg and ended up grabbing his leg and he fell," Robertson said. "It's a good feeling when you hear the ref scream "two" right above you. I knew it would come down to our feet."

In two months, Robertson and Kielbasa could become the second pairing of two-time champs to meet in a state final (four-time champ Mike Benefiel of Montini beat three-time champ Jordan Blanton of Richmond-Burton in 2007).

"If he stays at 152, we're going to battle it out," Robertson said. "Best man wins. I'm always ready to battle."

Marmion sophomore Ben Whitford made the biggest statement in his team's title with five takedowns and a reversal in a dominating 12-5 win at 130 pounds over senior Joey Gosinski of No. 2 Glenbard North, who hadn't lost since his sophomore year. Whitford has never lost.

"I didn't expect it to be what it was," Whitford said. "He's a great opponent. I was just ready for everything he brought at me."

Johnny Jimenez (103) and Bryce Brill (135) also won titles for No. 1 Marmion, which scored 204.5 points in its first appearance in the 29-team tournament to 199.5 for runner-up Crystal Lake Central. Iowa City West was third with 188, Glenbard North took fourth with 179 and No. 6 Montini claimed fifth at 161.5.

"This means a lot to us, first time down here, kicking butt," Jimenez said.

Edwin Cooper of Providence was given a plaque and honored for becoming the first Dvorak four-time champion, although tourney officials said they can't confirm it because they lack records from the tourney's early years. Cooper pinned all four of his foes, including a 39-second fall in the finals to earn Most Outstanding Wrestler honors.

"It feels good to be the first person. It reminds me of how hard I worked," said Cooper, who called his four pins "the way it's supposed to be" for a four-time champ. "You've got to work hard and attack. As soon as you start, you are attacking, attacking, attacking."

Glenbard North had two champs (Bryan Gonzalez at 119 and Brian Murphy at 140) as did Providence (Eddie Klimara at 125 and Cooper).

No. 10 Marist (heavyweight Tom Howell), No. 5 Barrington (Jared Parvinmehr at 112) and St. Rita (Jahwon Akui at 171) each had a champion.

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